Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19575 · Flight controls
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(2) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(4) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-642 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain sensor struts, in the case of down drive element disconnection, would be unable to provide failure detection information for flap movements. This AD requires repetitive inspections of certain drive station elements and sensor struts; an inspection of certain other drive station elements if necessary; and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
For the purpose of this AD, the drive station elements are defined as the down drive, down drive shaft, geared rotary actuator (gearbox), geared rotary actuator (output lever and fork end), and drive strut.
(1) At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD, and thereafter not to exceed the applicable intervals specified in table 1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the LH and RH track station 4 drive station elements for corrosion or ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts and nuts that are loose, broken, or missing) and a general visual inspection of the LH and RH track station 4 sensor struts for corrosion or ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts that are loose, broken, or missing), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018; as applicable.
(i) For airplanes that, as of the effective date of this AD, have accumulated less than 1,000 flight cycles since first flight: Before exceeding 24 months since first flight or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, but without exceeding 2,300 flight cycles since first flight.
(ii) For airplanes that, as of the effective date of this AD, have accumulated 1,000 or more flight cycles since first flight: Within 1,000 flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
(2) If, during any general visual inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, any corrosion is detected or any ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts that are loose, broken, or missing) are detected, before further flight, accomplish a detailed inspection of the applicable LH or RH track station 5 drive station elements for corrosion or ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts and nuts that are loose, broken, or missing) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018; as applicable.
(1) If, during any detailed inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, any corrosion is detected or any ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts and nuts that are loose, broken, or missing) are detected, before further flight, replace each affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018; as applicable, or using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(2) If, during any general visual inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, any corrosion is detected or any ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts that are loose, broken, or missing) are detected, before further flight, replace each affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018; as applicable, or using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) If, during any detailed inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any corrosion is detected or any ruptured, loose, or missing components (including any attached bolts and nuts that are loose, broken, or missing) are detected, before further flight, replace each affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018; as applicable, or using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD: Report the results (positive or negative) of each inspection required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD to Airbus Service Bulletin Reporting Online Application on Airbus World (https://w3.airbus.com/), or submit the results to Airbus in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3226, dated April 5, 2018; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4206, dated April 3, 2018; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-5071, dated April 3, 2018.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
